As a new WSL campaign of excitement awaits eager football fans, Brighton will be looking to build on their record-breaking success.
The Seagulls have undergone a summer of changes with the team’s primary goal to improve on their fifth-place finish from last season’s Women’s Super League campaign. The side will be looking to compete against the top teams in the league, something they showed was capable on multiple occasions last season.
Last season, under the guidance of new managerDario Vidošić,the Seagulls recorded impressive results against top sides, which included a 4-2 victory against Arsenal and a 2-2 draw against Chelsea; both of which allowed them to maintain an impressive home record, losing only two games at Broadfield.
The Halfway Line previews what you can expect ahead of Brighton’s 2025/26 Women’s Super League (WSL) season.
Brighton undergo a busy transfer window
The club has seen departures from ten players following the conclusion of the 2024/25 season, including several senior players such as captain Vicky Losada, vice-captain Guro Bergsvand and defender Maria Thorisdóttir, both of whom moved clubs to find more playing minutes after a decreased amount of playing time. One shock departure came with the announcement that Nikita Parris, a key figure in Vidosic’s attack with 7 goals and 5 assists in the league last season, had moved to newly promoted London City Lionesses.
Despite the turnover of experienced players, Brighton have recruited well in a successful transfer window. The side have added eight new players to their squad, the signings include Moeka Minami, Chiamaka Nnadozie, Manuela Vanegas Catano, Carla Camacho, Maelys Mpome, Rosa Kafaji, Michelle Agyemang and Fuka Tsunoda.
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Brighton players to watch ahead of the new WSL season
Chiamaka Nnadozie was an early signing for the Seagulls, making the move from Paris FC, bringing both international and European experience. The Nigerian international was named the Best Goalkeeper at the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations which saw Nigeria win the tournament for the tenth time. Nnadozie played a central part in the WAFCON victory, keeping four consecutive clean sheets; she has since been nominated for the Women’s Yachine Trophy at the Ballon d’Or awards.
Michelle Agyemang returns to Brighton from Arsenal on a season-long loan, and has made a name for herself during the Euro 2025 tournament, making an impact when used as a substitute. Named as the Euro 2025 Young Player of the Tournament, and nominated for the women’s Kopa Trophy at the Ballon d’Or, she has begun to showcase her pace and directness for goal. Agyemang was pivotal in Albion’s record-breaking season, scoring five in 22 appearances for the club.This loan will see the Arsenal youngster gain more game time at senior level which will be beneficial for her development, and has already opened her scoring in the preseason against Levante.
Maisie Symonds, the club’s newly named captain, came through the club’s youth system, and since the 22-year-old midfielder has steadily developed into a central figure for the side, and since the departure of Vicky Losada, Symonds is the longest-serving player at Brighton. Symonds has been instrumental in Brighton’s midfield, showcasing her ability to control the match with her passing range through her 44% chances created and multiple assists across competitions last year.
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Preseason performances from Brighton
During the preseason, the Seagulls produced a 5-0 win over Crystal Palace with goals coming from Kiko Seike, Nadine Noordam, Marisa Olislagers and Bex Rayner, as well as an own goal from Palace, which saw the Sussex-based side control possession throughout. The side then travelled to Spain, where they beat CF Alhama 2-1 with Goals from Madison Haley and Fran Kirby in the first half. A 8-0 victory against Levante concluded the summer preparations, an emphatic win which showcased the Seagulls’ attacking options once again, with Madison Haley netting a hat-trick, and goals from Michelle Agyemang, Fran Kirby, Kiko Seike, Maisie Symonds and Charlie Rule.
Vidošić’s side has shown a dominant attacking presence in their preparations, highlighting their strengthened squad, with multiple goal-scoring options.
Brighton’s WSL season ahead
Alongside their league ambitions, Brighton will be hoping to improve on their Subway Cup campaign as the Seagulls will face Southampton, West Ham United, Charlton Athletic and Portsmouth in Group C of the 2025/26 Women’s League Cup. Last season, Vidošić’s side reached the quarter finals, losing out to Arsenal in a 4-0 defeat, but they topped their group after a 6-2 victory against Bristol City, a 3-0 win against Birmingham City and a 0-0 draw against Leicester City, which they won on penalties.
Brighton’s 2025/26 Barclays Women’s Super League campaign kicks off this Sunday as the Seagulls face Aston Villa at Crawley’s Broadfield Stadium.
***Brighton & Hove Albion 2025/26 Squad:***Chiamaka Nnadozie, Hannah Poulter, Sophie Baggaley, Silvana Miranda, Melina Loeck, Moeka Minami, Manuela Vanegas, Maëlys Mpomé, Jorelyn Carabalí, Rachel McLauchlan, Marisa Olislagers, Marit Auée, Caitlin Hayes, Jessica Pegram, Fran Kirby, Jelena Čanković, Maisie Symonds, Bex Rayner, Kiko Seike, Carla Camacho, Michelle Agyemang, Rosa Kafaji.